Pregnant? Here’s how to be comfy

Pregnant woman. There was shock in Kilifi County Wednesday after 17 girls, in two primary school, were found to be pregnant. PHOTO | FILE

What you need to know:

Why you will get that glow - or acne

During pregnancy, many bodily features change and the skin, being the largest organ in the body, can undergo a number of remarkable changes brought on by hormonal changes and stretching. Below are where the changes occur and why.

Pregnancy glow: This is not an actual change. Due to the increased flow and volume of blood during pregnancy and the numerous blood vessels under the facial skin, the face is usually flushed during pregnancy.

The skin oil glands also produce more oil, giving the skin a radiant look. These two features combine to form the “pregnancy glow”. It is more prominent in lightskinned people.

Linea nigra: This is a dark line that appears below the umbilicus and runs down to the pubic hair. Pregnancy hormones which cause the skin to produce more pigment induce the darkening. A dark line forms and is usually permanent after the first pregnancy.

Mask of Pregnancy: This is the appearance of greyish or brownish discoloration or darkening of facial skin. It is more pronounced on the forehead, cheeks, upper lip and the chin, usually from the second trimester.

It is often more noticeable in dark-skinned women and after exposure to the sun. This darkening of the skin is medically known as melisma, and is often referred to as the “mark” of pregnancy.

Melasma resolves after child birth but might persist in some cases. In addition, it tends to recur in subsequent pregnancies or with the use of hormonal contraceptives.

Hyperpigmentation: Other areas of the body may darken, especially the areola (dark skin area around the nipple), the external genitalia and around the anus. These changes are also permanent.

Palmar erythema: This is a flush of the palms and soles of the feet. They become red, warm, sweaty and sometimes itchy. This causes are likely similar to that of facial flushing but it is not known for certain.

Acne: Many women have some form of acne occur during pregnancy. The severity differs greatly between individuals. Other pre-existing skin features such as moles and freckles may become more prominent. But things return to normal some weeks after delivery.

Heat rash: During pregnancy, metabolism increases considerably. This means that most pregnant women will feel much hotter than usual and sweat a lot more. Just like babies, they can then develop heat rash in damp areas such as the thighs, armpits, back and neck.

Spider veins: These are very tiny blood vessels that appear just under the skin, especially behind the knee and calf, but can also occur on the face or eyeballs.

They are not a sign of serious illness and usually go away some time after delivery. Occasionally, some might burst due to direct pressure, causing a small bruise. In a few women, they become permanent. They can be treated by a dermatologist.

Skin tags: In areas of increased heat, wetness and friction between the skin and clothing such as the armpits or neck and bra line, some women develop skin tags. They grow as a result of excessive growth of the superficial layer of the skin. They usually go away after pregnancy.

Stretch marks: Although the much dreaded stretch marks can occur in anyone, they are more likely to occur during pregnancy. There are three reasons for this.

First, the skin of a pregnant woman stretches more, especially in the abdomen. Second, pregnant women add weight, thereby stretching the skin, and third, the hormonal changes make a pregnant woman’s skin susceptible to stretch marks.

Initially, the skin appears red or purple but subsequently turns into a whitish scars. They are more prominent on the abdomen but can also occur on the arms, breasts, thighs and buttocks. These might fade over time.

There are no major means for reducing the increased pigmentation associated with pregnancy. However, reducing exposure to sunlight can be beneficial in preventing severe changes.

A well balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and minimal junk food, if any, helps reduce acne. Wearing light cotton clothes that allow free movement of air above the skin also help reduce heat rash.

Finally, maintaining proper hygiene, bathing with mild soap and lukewarm water help cool the skin and make it healthier.

Dear Askadoc,
I am eight weeks pregnant and I have a big problem. My skin feels very irritated, hot, and sweaty and has small pimples all over. Is this normal and what can I do to make it go away?
Nelly

Dear Nelly,
Thank you for your question. It sounds like you are suffering from heat rash. Due to pregnancy, your body’s metabolism has increased.

This means that your body is literally like a furnace now, generating a lot of extra heat. This will make you feel hotter and more sweaty than usual. Depending on where you live and how you dress, your body might not be able to cope well.

The sweat needs to evaporate to cool your body. Therefore, try to dress in light, non-fitting clothes to allow evaporation. Try to avoid clothes made from synthetic materials.

Wear cotton as much as possible as it absorbs sweat well and allows for evaporation. Avoid petroleum-based skin oils as they clog your pores, making the situation worse. Use water-based lotions such as aqueous cream, or none at all.

Try to shower or bathe twice a day, especially in the evenings, to give your skin time to rejuvenate. When you are in the comfort of your home, wear very light clothes, such as a khanga and tank top to allow your skin to breath as much as possible. None of this is permanent and things will go back to normal with time.

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Dear Doctor,
I am 32 weeks pregnant and, unfortunately, I cannot fit into any of my shoes. How is it possible for my feet to still be growing when I am 38? What does this mean? Is there any way I can get help?
Sarah

Dear Sarah,
Your feet are not growing. Due to pregnancy, your body is making extra fluid, which is causing you to develop oedema. The swelling of the uterus, plus the pregnancy hormones, combine to interfere with the flow of fluid in your body.

Consequently, there is an extra build-up of fluid, especially in the lower parts of your body. You can reduce this by having your legs raised as much as possible when at work and at home in the evening.

Raise the foot of your bed slightly so that you can maintain the same position when you sleep. You might want to buy one larger, simple, extra pair of shoes just for this pregnancy.

Alternatively, you could resort to wearing open shoes. Fairly soon after delivery, your feet will return to their normal size.

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Dear Doc,
I have noticed that over the last 30 weeks of my pregnancy, my hair has become really wonderful. I have never had such great hair and I am wondering what I can do to keep it. Please advise.
Beth

Dear Beth,
Due to the hormonal changes that come with pregnancy, a woman’s hair can really improve and look great. However, these changes are not permanent and many women actually lose a lot of hair during the first few months after delivery.

In fact, most women think that they lose hair falls due to breast-feeding but this is not true. It is a reversal of the hair “improvement” process during the pregnancy; without the pregnancy hormones, things return to normal.

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Dear Doctor,
Something very interesting is happening. My wife is 26 weeks pregnant with our first child and she has really changed. She looks great, has lovely skin, is always in such a good and radiant mood and things have improved drastically in the bedroom. Though I really like all these changes, I am a bit concerned. What could be causing this?
Concerned husband

Dear Concerned husband,
There is nothing wrong with your wife. The pregnancy hormones affect women in different ways, many of which can be very positive.

Whereas some women have terrible morning sickness with persistent vomiting, others have the best times of their lives when they are pregnant.

Positive mood changes are very common. Many women are also be drawn to their homes and spouses during this period and libido can increase dramatically. All these are great changes, so do not be concerned and enjoy this time of pregnancy.

Have a question about your health? Send it to [email protected].